SCIRA Commodore: PanAm Update and North Americans

As reported last week, the Pan American Executive Committee voted to remove the Snipe for the 49er for the 2015 Games in Toronto.

I sent a letter this week to the Executive Committee explaining the many reasons why Snipes should be in the PanAm Games and asked their Board to reconsider. SCIRA General Secretary Gweneth Crook also asked our National Secretaries of the countries in the Western Hemisphere to also wright explain how the Snipe benefits their own country’s sailing program.

On Thursday I received a letter from Scott Perry, President of the Pan American Sailing Federation stating that they’ve received an “overwhelming reaction” to their decision and will be reconsidering the matter after the Olympic Games conclude. This is good news and I again ask that snipe sailors contact their national authorities and make it clear how the Snipe benefits their country at the highest levels of sailing as well as in building of base of the sport.

To that note, our 2012 North American Championships will be sailed at the venue of the 2015 Pan American Games (in Toronto Canada on September 14) and I ask that all who can sail to please support the class by showing how great our participation can be. Support by Canada and the US will certainly be important for the Snipe to remain in the PanAm games. Oh, and the regatta will be a fantastic time as well!